Ahsen Husnain

• As Manager IT at Forbmax AI, I played a pivotal role in architecting and managing robust, high-performance, and scalable storage solutions to support complex hybrid and cloud-native infrastructures for both public sector clients in Pakistan (MOIB )and enterprise customers in the United States.
  Proxmox VE + Ceph Cluster Integration
  Designed and deployed a 5-node Proxmox cluster with Ceph distributed storage, enabling high availability (HA), redundancy, and live migration for virtualized and containerized workloads across development, staging, and production environments.
  Configured Ceph MONs, MGRs, OSDs, and optimized networking for minimal latency and high throughput.
  Achieved fault-tolerant storage with seamless data replication and self-healing capabilities.
  Enabled centralized provisioning of block storage for LXC containers and KVM VMs.
  TrueNAS Storage Deployment (Core & SCALE)
  Implemented and managed TrueNAS-based storage solutions for DV, UAT, and Staging environments.
  Provisioned ZFS pools, datasets, snapshots, and replication tasks to ensure data integrity and backup automation.
  Configured SMB, NFS, and iSCSI shares to serve both virtual environments and direct workload access.
  Integrated with LDAP/AD for user and permission management in multi-tenant setups.
  Enabled cloud sync tasks for offsite backups and disaster recovery planning (e.g., S3, Backblaze).
  MinIO Object Storage Setup
  Deployed MinIO as an S3-compatible high-performance object storage layer to support AI/ML pipelines and media archiving workloads.
  Used for Kubeflow pipelines, model artifacts, and data lake storage.
  Configured bucket policies, lifecycle rules, and HTTPS endpoints for secure object access.
  Integrated with CI/CD tools for artifact storage and model versioning.
  DELL OBS (Object-Based Storage) for Enterprise & AI Workloads
  Architected and managed DELL OBS enterprise-grade storage systems for a Tier-3 data center deployment.
  Delivered high-performance, scalable object storage for AI media monitoring, GPU-based analytics, and critical data applications.
  Implemented data redundancy, erasure coding, and QoS policies to meet SLA requirements.
  Integrated with Sangfor HCI and Huawei OceanStore for parallel deployments and hybrid cloud scenarios.
  Monitoring & Observability
  Deployed end-to-end observability stacks (Zabbix, Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog) to monitor storage performance, capacity trends, health checks, and I/O stats across all platforms (Ceph, TrueNAS, MinIO, and DELL OBS).
  National AI-Based Media Monitoring Platform – MOIB & Radio Pakistan (NIMAR Project)
  Led the design, deployment, and end-to-end delivery of a government-grade, AI-powered media monitoring solution under the National Initiative for Media Analytics and Reporting (NIMAR) project, hosted at Radio Pakistan Headquarters, Islamabad.
  Ensured fully redundant power and cooling infrastructure using Tripp Lite UPS and environmental sensors for high-availability operations.
  
  

IT Manager Cloud & Infrastructure Automation Compliance Additional Key Contributions:

As an experienced IT Manager, I lead cloud and IT operations with a strong focus on automation, security, and service reliability. I specialize in building and managing hybrid infrastructures, aligning technology with business goals, and integrating AIOps for smarter, faster IT service management.

With hands-on expertise in AWS and Azure, I design and manage scalable, secure, and cost-optimized environments across multi-account enterprise cloud platforms. My core strengths include infrastructure management, network and security architecture, and cloud governance. I’ve successfully designed and deployed high-availability (HA) cloud architectures spanning multiple regions and managed secure cloud landing zones that support enterprise-grade scalability and compliance.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Designed and managed hybrid cloud infrastructures integrating AWS, Azure, and on-premise resources to optimize performance and reduce operational overhead.
• Leveraged Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Bicep, AWS CloudFormation, and Azure ARM Templates to standardize and automate infrastructure deployments.
• Implemented proactive cloud cost optimization, security governance using AWS Coifing, Azure Policy, Control Tower, and Blueprints.
• Migrated LAMP stack-based staging and UAT environments to DigitalOcean with zero downtime, improving resource scalability and availability.
• Led the successful migration of 270+ production servers from Cloudways to Sonassi at Zepto Systems within 15 days, ensuring uninterrupted services and performance continuity.
• Co-designed a Tier-3 Data Center for the Ministry of Information, Pakistan, incorporating high availability, disaster recovery, and ISO 27001 compliance.
• Deployed and managed Azure SQL databases, Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), DNS, patch management, and system security policies across cloud and on-prem environments.
• Oversaw and managed VoIP systems, enterprise network security, and Descartes ERP database operations using Cisco, Checkpoint, and F5 security solutions.
• Developed and enforced ITSM processes, disaster recovery (DR) plans, vendor SLAs, and business continuity strategies.
• Domain & Hosting Infrastructure Management:
  As IT Manager, I am responsible for overseeing the company’s entire domain infrastructure, managing over 44 domains through WHM/cPanel environments.
  Handled domain registration, DNS configuration, and email hosting.
  Ensured security hardening, SSL/TLS implementation, and routine backups across all domain-based services.
  Automated cPanel provisioning, implemented spam filtering, DKIM, and SPF records for secure and reliable email delivery.
  Maintained uptime monitoring and incident response plans for hosted applications and portals.
• Descartes ERP System Implementation at TEU Global:
  Successfully led the implementation and integration of Descartes ERP across various business units.
  Acted as the primary liaison with the Descartes support team, overseeing the addition of new modules and coordinating feature enhancements.
  Gathered and documented requirements directly from department heads and executive management to align ERP functionality with business processes.
  Conducted user training, UAT sessions, and post-deployment support, ensuring seamless adoption and ROI.
  Monitored system performance and collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure continued alignment with business growth strategies.

• Provided strategic technical leadership for a distributed team of 25+ system administrators across the country, aligning resources and initiatives to ensure operational excellence and high system availability.
• Oversaw the daily operations of the ERP team, directing task assignments and streamlining workflows to improve performance and accountability.
• Planned and allocated technical resources across multiple projects based on team capabilities and business requirements.
• Led end-to-end infrastructure design, implementation, and optimization initiatives to support development and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environments.
• Administered over 70 production servers hosted on WHM/cPanel and Plesk platforms.
• Implemented and managed Cisco VLAN architecture, configuring Cisco switches with VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) for centralized and secure network segmentation.

Manager IT Oracle ERP & SAP BI Implementation Cloud & Data Center Expert Oracle ERP and SAP BI Deployment & Management: Ongoing Responsibilities as Manager IT:

As Manager IT, I successfully planned, led, and executed the implementation of a private cloud infrastructure using OpenStack, enhancing the organization’s IT capabilities, scalability, and data control. This transformation enabled Best Export to shift from legacy infrastructure to a fully virtualized, self-service cloud environment—improving efficiency, resource utilization, and data security, while maintaining complete control and compliance.

I led the end-to-end deployment of OpenStack components, including:

• Nova (Compute), Neutron (Networking), Cinder (Block Storage), Swift (Object Storage)
• Keystone (Identity Management) and Horizon (Dashboard Interface)
• Infrastructure based on KVM virtualization and Ceph storage for high availability and fault tolerance
• Ansible was used for automation and Zabbix for real-time infrastructure monitoring and alerting

This solution ensured a robust, scalable, and secure private cloud ecosystem.

As part of my strategic IT leadership, I played a key role in deploying and managing Oracle ERP and SAP Business Intelligence (SAP BI) platforms to streamline business operations and empower data-driven decision-making:

• Successfully led the deployment and configuration of Oracle ERP modules, covering financials, supply chain, inventory, procurement, and HR.
• Worked closely with stakeholders to map business processes, gather functional requirements, and customize ERP workflows aligned with organizational needs.
• Oversaw database architecture and optimization to ensure high availability, backup strategies, and disaster recovery readiness for Oracle databases.
• Designed and implemented SAP BI architecture, integrating it with core ERP systems to enable robust data analytics, dashboards, and reporting frameworks.
• Coordinated with vendors and internal teams for module-specific customization, ensuring smooth data flow between Oracle ERP and SAP BI systems.
• Provided end-user training, created technical documentation, and established role-based access controls to ensure secure and efficient operations.
• Integrated Oracle ERP with legacy systems to ensure uninterrupted workflows during the transition phase.
• Enabled data synchronization, report automation, and custom KPIs to support C-level reporting and real-time decision-making.
• Oversee Level 1 to Level 3 support, resolving complex infrastructure, application, and security challenges.
• Manage data center operations, ERP performance, and security hardening across on-prem and cloud environments.
• Execute server provisioning, patch management, data backup, and performance tuning to ensure system resilience and continuity.
• Collaborate with internal departments to support cybersecurity initiatives, business continuity planning, and digital transformation strategies.

• As a Linux System Infrastructure Manager, I oversee the management andoptimization of Linux-based servers across multiple cloud platforms, includingDigitalOcean, AWS, and Azure.I am responsible for provisioning, monitoring,and securing a range of servers used by both internal teams and clientsbased in the USA and UAE. These servers support various applications,including company UAT (User Acceptance Testing), development, and stagingenvironments, ensuring that all systems are highly available, performant, andsecure.In my role, I manage cloud infrastructure spanning DigitalOcean, AWS EC2instances, and Azure Linux servers, providing robust support for multi-clientenvironments, including e-commerce platforms, enterprise applications, andcritical business workloads. I oversee the deployment, patch management,security, and configuration of these servers, ensuring seamless integrationwith CI/CD pipelines, monitoring systems, and backup strategies.Additionally, I handle on-premises Linux server management for clients whorequire custom infrastructure setups or hybrid environments, ensuring that theymeet business continuity and disaster recovery requirements. I also leverageNagios, Prometheus, and Grafana for real-time monitoring, ensuring earlydetection and resolution of any issues before they affect operations.My core competencies include cloud infrastructure management, Linux serveradministration, high availability, disaster recovery, and system security. I workclosely with cross-functional teams to implement solutions that maximizeuptime and improve system performance across various cloud platforms.Whether for internal infrastructure or client-facing services, my goal is toensure a reliable, secure, and optimized IT environment that drives businessefficiency and supports organizational growth.

• Maintained and administered Windows Server 2003 Active Directory, ensuring secure user authentication, policy enforcement, and system reliability.
• Managed and troubleshot a range of network devices including Cisco switches, wireless access points, and network printers to maintain uninterrupted connectivity across departments.
• Administered Symantec Endpoint Protection as a centralized antivirus solution for enterprise-wide threat mitigation and endpoint security compliance.
• Performed end-to-end installation, configuration, and maintenance of Dell Servers, ensuring optimized performance, availability, and physical hardware integrity.
• Configured and maintained RAID setups, including fault diagnosis and recovery to safeguard against disk failures and ensure data redundancy.
• Oversaw routine server servicing and hardware lifecycle management, including performance tuning and preventive maintenance of Dell infrastructure.
• Deployed and configured VMware ESXi servers to virtualize core business applications and enhance infrastructure scalability.
• Administered Kerio WinRoute Firewall, implementing and maintaining internet security policies, VPN access, and traffic rules.
• Managed both Linux- and Windows-based DHCP servers for dynamic IP assignment and seamless network access.
• Implemented server and network monitoring tools, enabling real-time performance tracking and proactive fault resolution.
• Installed and managed biometric attendance machines, integrating attendance data with internal systems for HR reporting.
• Provided Level 1 to Level 2 technical support for both hardware and software issues, maintaining IT service excellence across departments.
• Ensured data security and system recovery by regularly backing up user data and SQL Server databases.
• Procured and managed IT equipment and accessories using the ERP procurement system, ensuring cost control and inventory accuracy.
• Created and maintained technical documentation, including system architecture diagrams, maintenance logs, and SOPs for internal auditing and ITIL compliance.
• Oversaw network security enforcement, ensuring firewall policies, user privileges, and access controls were aligned with organizational policies.
• Supported and maintained all Dell servers, storage, and related hardware, ensuring performance, updates, and warranty tracking.

• Installed and configured a wide range of Dell PowerEdge servers, including models PE 6850, PE 6800, PE 2950, PE 2900, PE 2850, PE 2800, PE 850, and PE 750 for enterprise computing environments.
• Configured RAID arrays (0, 1, 5, 10, 50) using Dell PERC controllers (PERC3DC, PERC4/SC, PERC 5) and BIOS utility for optimal performance and data redundancy.
• Deployed and managed Dell AX100 SAN, various NAS and DAS solutions (PV220), ensuring reliable storage access and integration with critical enterprise applications.
• Installed and maintained Dell Tape Libraries, and configured backup jobs to support disaster recovery and data protection strategies.
• Mounted and unmounted rack servers, SAN devices, and tape drives in Dell and third-party racks, ensuring structured and organized hardware deployment.
• Troubleshot and maintained Dell desktops, laptops, servers, UPS units, and peripheral devices across multiple departments.
• Installed and configured VMware ESXi hypervisors, enabling virtualization of Windows and Linux workloads for cost-effective resource utilization.
• Maintained a Windows domain-based environment (Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP), enforcing Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for access control and system security.
• Administered and configured Cisco switches and wireless access points, supporting more than 300 workstations across VLAN-segmented enterprise networks.
• Designed and maintained structured network topologies, including LAN/WAN architecture, IP subnetting, and VLAN tagging for secure and scalable connectivity.
• Administered Symantec Endpoint Protection as a centralized antivirus server, deploying and updating policies for malware protection and endpoint compliance.
• Provided L1–L2 support for hardware/software troubleshooting, including system performance, OS issues, network downtime, and application failures.
• Configured corporate email clients, including Outlook, for secure integration with mail servers using SSL/TLS and secure SMTP/IMAP/POP3 protocols.
• Maintained and executed regular backups of user data and SQL databases to secure storage systems and supported routine data restoration processes.
• Created and maintained comprehensive technical documentation, including configuration baselines, server inventories, incident logs, and SOPs.
• Led the implementation of network security protocols, including firewall rule definition, antivirus policy enforcement, and patch management.
• Supported network performance monitoring and optimization using internal tools and manual audits to ensure low-latency, high-availability connectivity.
• Participated in disaster recovery planning, ensuring backup validation, offsite rotation, and DR drill readiness.
• Assisted in procurement and lifecycle management of IT equipment via the ERP system, ensuring optimal resource planning and vendor coordination.
• Collaborated with the IT team in developing IT policies, infrastructure plans, and departmental SLAs for smooth IT service delivery.